This week's Cine-files is by Alistair Grant. Follow him on Twitter at @Aligrant_90.

Location

Lothian Road, right in the bustling heart of Edinburgh and only a few hundred yards away from Edinburgh's other famous independent cinema, the Cameo.

The building

Previously an old church, the grey brick exterior blends in with its surroundings while still maintaining a certain charm and character. The once deserted building became a cinema when the Filmhouse was opened in 1979, with the entrance initially restricted to a small lane round the back. It wasn't until 1985 that filmgoers were able to access the cinema from the front, on Lothian Road.

The clientele

Like many independent and arthouse cinemas, the clientele is mostly made up of arty students, trendy twentysomethings, film buffs and the retired – though the eclectic and diverse programme can and does attract a range of different people. For the celeb-spotters, honorary patron Tilda Swinton has been known to drop in from time to time.

The programme

From the latest international releases to the ancient and obscure, the Filmhouse's programme is about as varied as they come. The three separate screens allow for an eclectic and often genuinely surprising mix of old and new, big-budget and low-budget. Meanwhile, special events and talks are regular fare at the cinema, providing insights into all aspects of the film-making process.

In June each year, the Filmhouse is home to the Edinburgh international film festival, the world's oldest continually running film festival and a veritable hub of celluloid culture and industry activity. Throughout the year there are also several smaller festivals catering to specific genres and audiences, including the fantastic Dead By Dawn, Scotland's international horror film festival run by the endlessly enthusiastic Adele Hartley.

Further comments

The Filmhouse is something increasingly precious: a cinema that caters shamelessly for cinephiles and isn't afraid to take risks in its programming. What's more, it is staffed and run by people who seem to genuinely care about the films they show – a rarity in an age of shopping-centre multiplexes and bored employees peddling overpriced popcorn.

Downstairs, the atmospheric bar is an attraction in its own right, with a great selection of beers, ales and whiskies and the option to take your drink into the auditorium – always a plus. Upstairs, Cinema One boasts one of the best screens in all of Edinburgh, with a red-curtained cosiness harking back to a lost age of cinematic glamour and old-fashioned, starry-eyed movie mystery.

With fewer people willing to shell out for cinema tickets, venues such as the Filmhouse provide a crucial and increasingly valuable service to film-lovers, offering an unforgettable experience that celebrates the art of film without relying solely on high-profile, crowd-pleasing Hollywood releases in an attempt to draw the crowds.